Mohanty, an unpopular face in media, will be honoured for his major contribution to development of boxing. After getting training in boxing coaching from Patiala in 1992, Mohanty, a resident of Badakhemundi in Berhampur joined as the coach in defence. During his career as the coach, he has produced a dozens of boxers including Shiva Thapa, Dingko Singh, Gurucharan Singh and Vikas Krishan Yadav, who have clinched medals for the country in international boxing competitions. Following retirement from defence service in 2013, he was appointed as the chief coach of Jharkhand boxing team. Throughout his career, he has worked for development of boxing in India. He was in the Indian coach team of boxing from 2002 till 2011.

The Sports Ministry on Tuesday announced the list of Dronacharya winners along with winners of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dhyan Chand awards.

While paralympian Devendra Jhajharia, who clinched gold in men’s F46 javelin throw at the Rio Olympics, and former Indian hockey skipper Sardar Singh will be honoured with the prestigious Khel Ratna award, the Dhyan Chand Award will be awarded to Bhupender Singh (athletics), Syed Shahid Hakim (football) and Sumarai Tete (hockey) for lifetime contribution to sports development.